Welcome to the Irish Mini Owners Club Forum. Keep an eye out of on coming events!!!!

Engine doesn't turn over

Welcome to the Techinical of the IMOC.

The Irish Mini Owners Club and its officers provide this service as a service to its members and Mini enthusiasts in good faith and do not endorse or confirm any detail or claim pertaining to items posted by individuals using this forum.

Moderators: spud1979, The Marcos Graveyard, admin, woody, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
DaveC
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 1532
Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:52 pm
Whats your location?: Dublin
Region: Eastern
Contact:

Engine doesn't turn over

Post by DaveC »

1992 Mini City 1000

The battery is fully charged.
Turn the ignition key to start, the oil light and ignition light come on, but then nothing happens. The oil and ignition lights stay on full.

Trying the same with the headlights on, the lights stay on full. I am guessing power isn't getting to the starting motor.

Any suggestions for what the problem is and how I get going again?


User avatar
Billy
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 4649
Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 12:49 pm
Whats your location?: Roscommon
Region: Western
What Minis have you?: 1967 Morris Cooper, 1967 Austin Mini auto, 1968 Wolseley Hornet x2, 1981 Clubman Estate
Location: Roscommon
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by Billy »

Dave, it could be the starter solenoid? Is there a click when you turn the key?
If No, It's a faulty solenoid. If yes, It's probably the starter.
User avatar
The Marcos Graveyard
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 4718
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:05 am
Whats your location?: Longford
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: 1971 Mini Marcos.
1984 Mini Sprite
Modifications: 1380cc
Weber45
S/C CR gearbox and drop gears
Location: Longford
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by The Marcos Graveyard »

Hit the solenoid on top of the starter motor a few smacks with a hammer, might encourage it a bit.
Image

A fully carbon fiber Mini Marcos shell weighs just 7.25kg.
User avatar
Billy
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 4649
Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 12:49 pm
Whats your location?: Roscommon
Region: Western
What Minis have you?: 1967 Morris Cooper, 1967 Austin Mini auto, 1968 Wolseley Hornet x2, 1981 Clubman Estate
Location: Roscommon
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by Billy »

And failing that, take a screwdriver and arc between the two connections of the solenoid. If that works, it's the solenoid is definitely the problem.

There probably won't be many tractor supplies outlets near you Dave, though I may be wrong, but they're handy for supplying the old-style push-button solenoids.
User avatar
DaveC
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 1532
Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:52 pm
Whats your location?: Dublin
Region: Eastern
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by DaveC »

Thanks for the suggestions, I will have a look later.

There is no click when you turn the key.

I was wondering if it might be the relay for the starter?
User avatar
Billy
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 4649
Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 12:49 pm
Whats your location?: Roscommon
Region: Western
What Minis have you?: 1967 Morris Cooper, 1967 Austin Mini auto, 1968 Wolseley Hornet x2, 1981 Clubman Estate
Location: Roscommon
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by Billy »

This is the type I use on the older Minis cos even if it fails, you can get started by just pushing the button. It can also be very handy for setting points etc.

There's probably cheaper than this locally;

http://www.retroclassiccarparts.com/pus ... 76464-copy
User avatar
woody
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 2818
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:55 pm
Whats your location?: Drogheda
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: Traveller
Turbo
Hornet
Equinox
MINI Clubman
Location: LOUTH
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by woody »

I think '92 is a pre-engaged starter with the solenoid on the motor.
Also your car will have a starter relay between the ignition switch and solenoid.I think its on the inner wing beside the servo.
The wire from the ignition switch to relay also has a bullet connector behind the heater where the inhibitor would be connected in an automatic car, this connection needs to be closed.
It is easy for a small amount of dirt to jam the solenoid but it is easy to split in two and clean.
TECHNICAL MODERATOR
User avatar
DaveC
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 1532
Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 10:52 pm
Whats your location?: Dublin
Region: Eastern
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by DaveC »

It was dark when I looked at this last night so I gave the solenoid a few taps with a hammer, pulled out the relay and cleaned up the contacts, and it fired up straight away. Thanks all for your comments
User avatar
woody
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 2818
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:55 pm
Whats your location?: Drogheda
Region: Eastern
What Minis have you?: Traveller
Turbo
Hornet
Equinox
MINI Clubman
Location: LOUTH
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by woody »

Getting it ready for MTM?
TECHNICAL MODERATOR
User avatar
Billy
IMOC Paid Member
Posts: 4649
Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 12:49 pm
Whats your location?: Roscommon
Region: Western
What Minis have you?: 1967 Morris Cooper, 1967 Austin Mini auto, 1968 Wolseley Hornet x2, 1981 Clubman Estate
Location: Roscommon
Contact:

Re: Engine doesn't turn over

Post by Billy »

Or bring it down to the Bog Run this Sunday.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests